James named interim president of United Way

Published: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 10:10 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 1:27 p.m.

The United Way of Marion County's board of directors on Wednesday named Toni James as the agency's interim president after formally accepting President Maureen Quinlan's resignation.

James, the agency's former president, retired in 2006 after more than 30 years of leading the organization

“We're so fortunate. She's got a great reputation in the community,” board Chairman Tom Falanga said about James. “It's wonderful for her to come out of retirement to help us with the United Way during this period.”

“I am very excited about having Toni back in the fold of the United Way and I think she will be a positive for us going forward during this campaign,” Greiner said.

Greiner said he has been involved in the process of allocating United Way funds to various social services agencies, so is aware of the needs within the community.

“It spurred me to take this role, and hope I can make a difference,” Greiner said.

He said his focus right now is to raise funds to increase the number of people served in the community.

“It's definitely a big challenge, but it's fun,” he said.

Falanga said that when Quinlan resigned for personal reasons on Aug. 15, an emergency executive committee meeting was held to discuss the matter. At that time, it was mentioned that, perhaps, James might be interested in helping out until a replacement for Quinlan could be found.

“So, I contacted her and she was,” Falanga said.

Quinlan has been the agency's president for seven years. Falanga said the agency will do a “thorough search” for her replacement. A search committee has been formed to take on the task.

“We did a rough time-line. It's probably going to take us to the end of the year,” Falanga said. “We will be putting it on some websites by the end of this week. They are national. There are some great people locally, too.”

James said she will step in as interim president on Monday.

“I have been involved as a volunteer on the Women of Worth group, so I haven't been that far away from the United Way,” James said. “It will be fun. It really will. I am happy I can help out.”

As far as getting on board less than three weeks before the annual fund raising campaign, James said the agency is prepared.

“I can help in some ways but, otherwise, they are ready to go,” James said.

And, she said, her job is a short-term assignment.

“It will only be a few months until they find a replacement for Maureen,” James said. “I will just be there to make sure everything keeps going and take over things Maureen used to do as the boss. Obviously, it's not easy to jump into a new situation or a situation that has had a sudden change, but I am looking forward to it.”

<p>The United Way of Marion County's board of directors on Wednesday named Toni James as the agency's interim president after formally accepting President Maureen Quinlan's resignation.</p><p>James, the agency's former president, retired in 2006 after more than 30 years of leading the organization</p><p>“We're so fortunate. She's got a great reputation in the community,” board Chairman Tom Falanga said about James. “It's wonderful for her to come out of retirement to help us with the United Way during this period.”</p><p>The agency's annual fund raising campaign starts Sept. 13. Michael Greiner of Merrill Lynch is the campaign chairman.</p><p>“I am very excited about having Toni back in the fold of the United Way and I think she will be a positive for us going forward during this campaign,” Greiner said.</p><p>Greiner said he has been involved in the process of allocating United Way funds to various social services agencies, so is aware of the needs within the community.</p><p>“It spurred me to take this role, and hope I can make a difference,” Greiner said.</p><p>He said his focus right now is to raise funds to increase the number of people served in the community.</p><p>“It's definitely a big challenge, but it's fun,” he said.</p><p>Falanga said that when Quinlan resigned for personal reasons on Aug. 15, an emergency executive committee meeting was held to discuss the matter. At that time, it was mentioned that, perhaps, James might be interested in helping out until a replacement for Quinlan could be found.</p><p>“So, I contacted her and she was,” Falanga said.</p><p>Quinlan has been the agency's president for seven years. Falanga said the agency will do a “thorough search” for her replacement. A search committee has been formed to take on the task.</p><p>“We did a rough time-line. It's probably going to take us to the end of the year,” Falanga said. “We will be putting it on some websites by the end of this week. They are national. There are some great people locally, too.”</p><p>James said she will step in as interim president on Monday.</p><p>“I have been involved as a volunteer on the Women of Worth group, so I haven't been that far away from the United Way,” James said. “It will be fun. It really will. I am happy I can help out.”</p><p>As far as getting on board less than three weeks before the annual fund raising campaign, James said the agency is prepared.</p><p>“I can help in some ways but, otherwise, they are ready to go,” James said.</p><p>And, she said, her job is a short-term assignment.</p><p>“It will only be a few months until they find a replacement for Maureen,” James said. “I will just be there to make sure everything keeps going and take over things Maureen used to do as the boss. Obviously, it's not easy to jump into a new situation or a situation that has had a sudden change, but I am looking forward to it.”</p><p><i>Contact Susan Latham Carr at 352-867-4156 or susan.carr@starbanner.com.</i></p>